Brite Futures (Formerly Known As Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head) Playing CMJ, New Album Dark Past Out 11/1

Formerly known as Natalie Portmanâ€™s Shaved Head, indie pop/electro rock quintet Brite Futures are back with a brand new album to go along with their new name. Due out Nov. 1, the bandâ€™s record Dark Past, set to be released on Turnout features single â€œToo Young To Killâ€ and â€œBaby Rainâ€ (available as a free download on their official site). The album is now available for preorder at http://darkpast.britefuturesforever.com.

On first listen to Brite Futuresâ€™ fiercely catchy new album, Dark Past might seem like quite the misnomer. Dubbed â€œpunk rock Abba disco Osmonds with chainsawsâ€ by the band themselves, the albumâ€™s synth-happy mix of New Wave, rock, funk, and dance music packs all the boundless pep of a hyperactive kindergartener on a never-ending sugar high. But tune in closer to these ten tracks and youâ€™ll soon hear the pain behind the pop.

â€œThe title Dark Past is a half-serious reflection of the tough times we went through over the past few years,â€ says guitarist Luke Smith, referring to the bandâ€™s split with Warner Bros. Records. The epic and rousing â€œBlack Wedding,â€ for instance, addresses the aftermath of extricating themselves from their contract with that label and reveling in the freedom to make the kind of music they wanted again.

Still, Dark Past is first and foremost a party record, a freewheeling funfest that â€œshould be played really loud, with lots of people around,â€ according to Luke. Brimming with brilliant moments (a lovingly stolen Beatles melody on â€œToo Young To Kill,â€ bassist/keyboardist Claire Englandâ€™s turn as a dancefloor-dominating lead vocalist on â€œBlack Wedding,â€ lyrics that reference The Kinks and Gossip Girl in the same breath, and the occasional face-melting guitar solo), the album challenges the notion that irresistible pop can only be peddled by solo artists propped up by big-name hitmaking producers.